00:15

Ai Weiwei

Guardian

€650

Edition of 160160.0 (H) × 60.0 (W) cm

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Self-satire meets storied symbolism in a sparkling silkscreen print by Ai Weiwei.

In Chinese tradition, a Door God is placed at an entrance or threshold to protect those inside from harm. By casting himself as this totemic figure, Weiwei acknowledges his standing in global consciousness, draws parallels with his life as an artist, and attempts to resolve the two.

Familiar motifs nod to the negative influences that Weiwei, in divine form, might ward off – from censorship and propaganda to corruption and surveillance. Red, meanwhile, promises good fortune for the year ahead.

To create the edition, printers at Make-Ready developed a new technique designed to echo a ceramic tile or cast concrete in silkscreen form. Bespoke gold ink ‘overloaded’ with metallic pigment and glitter is applied to the paper as a solid layer, then veiled by a layer of vibrant red to reveal an intricate illustration in negative space.

Framing

Prints can be ordered float mounted in one of two bespoke framing options.

Medium

2 colour silkscreen with a metallic glitter base layer, printed on 410gsm Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White paper.

Authentication

Individually signed by the artist (lower right corner) and numbered (lower left corner).

Certificate of Authenticity

Arrives with a certificate of authenticity.

Release date

February 15, 2024

Payment

Pay with bank card, crypto, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you wish you to use an alternative payment method, get in touch.

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Behind the scenes

01:14
00:51

artist Ai Weiwei taking a selfie in a bathroom mirror

Ai Weiwei31 collaborationsAi Weiwei is unafraid to speak truth to power. He’s one of the most famous living artists today – a testament to the breadth and vision of his practice. Effortlessly, he moves between different media, from sculpture and architecture to performance and documentary film. His work is often monumental in scale and is driven by a hunger for truth and justice. In 2008, for example, Ai spent many months collecting the names of over 5000 children who lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake. This unflinching dedication to human rights saw him detained by the Chinese government for 81 days in 2011, accused of ‘subverting the state.’

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Reviews from Avant collectors

this was an amazing experience with an amazing work as the result - thank you so much for all the assistance and for such a lovely purchase experience!!!
Review of Actual Size
Thank you for paying attention to the details and for making even little peope feel grand. 🫶🏻
Review of Guardian
Everything was great. Thanks!
Review of Out of the Dark
Wonderful work and very good quality production I hope to find a new work soon of him or of a artist that I like
Review of Inner Love
simply one of the most well produced prints i have ever purchased. its absolutely beyond what i was expecting. so beautiful!!!
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
Wonderful experience. Art looks amazing. Unbelievable framing. Thank you!!
Review of Untitled [Man in Car with Shed]
I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality and efficiency of your service. I've purchased art from various sources before, and some are still keeping me waiting. Consequently, I'm now a big admirer of your service. Thank you!
Review of Guardian
the experience and artwork far exceeded my expectations.
Review of "The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness."

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